MY SWEETEST LESBIA
by: Caius Valerius Catullus
(87-57 B.C.)
- Y sweetest
Lesbia, let us live and love,
- And though the sager sort our deeds reprove,
- Let us not weigh them. Heaven's great lamps do dive
- Into their west, and straight again revive.
- But, soon as once set our little light,
- Then must we sleep one ever-during night.
-
- If all would lead their lives in love like me,
- Then bloody swords and armor should not be;
- No drum or trumpet peaceful sleeps should move,
- Unless alarm came from the camp of Love:
- But fools do live and waste their little light,
- And seek with pain their ever-during night.
-
- When timely death my life and fortune ends,
- Let not my hearse be vext with mourning friends,
- But let all lovers rich in triumph come
- And with sweet pastimes grace my happy tomb:
- And, Lesbia, close up thou my little light,
- And crown with love my ever-during night.
This English translation of Catullus'
"My Sweetest Lesbia" was composed by Thomas Campion
(1567-1620). |
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